MARK OF EDWARD AND JOHN BARNARD, LONDON, 1857

Details

A VICTORIAN SILVER FIGURAL TROPHY CENTERPIECE
Mark of Edward and John Barnard, London, 1857
On a shaped triangular rockwork base set with fully modeled figures of a gentleman, a gamekeeper, and three hounds, the stem formed as an oak tree, the branches supporting a cut-glass centerpiece bowl, the base engraved 1861 RIDGWAY CLUB CHALLENGE CUP TO BE WON THREE TIMES BY ONE MEMBER finally won by Mr. Spinks, W & Be. Sea Pinkin Der, 1861, also engraved Mr. Bonon's B. D. Black Flag in Der: 1857. Mr. Spinks' Be & W D. Seaforth in Der, 1858. Mr. Ingleby's R & W. B. Attermire in Der, 1859. Mr. Spinks' F.D. Sea Rock in Der, 1860., fully marked
19in. (48.2cm.) high; 190oz. 10dwt. (5929gr.)

Lot Essay

The Ridgway Club was a prominent English coursing club whose origins may be traced to the Southport Club. It assumed its current name circa 1839, when the Club took the name of its president, Thomas Ridgway. In the sport, two greyhounds competed against each other to kill a hare, on open grounds. However, a kill did not necessarily signify a win, as judges awarded points for the speed and agility of the dog's movements. Coursing later evolved into track racing, with the introduction of the mechanical lure and the containment of the dogs in an enclosed coursing field (see: Harding Cox, Coursing and Falconry, London, 1901).

More from IMPORTANT SILVER, OBJECTS OF VERTU AND RUSSIAN WORKS OF ART

View All